To tell the story of the Onassis Foundation is to bring together visionary ideas, bold initiatives, and transformative actions. In 2025, the Onassis Foundation celebrates a significant milestone—50 years since its establishment and the passing of its founder, Aristotle Onassis, a man who profoundly embodied the spirit of 20th-century Greece. His life reflected both the challenges and boundless opportunities of his era, characterized by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering determination to overcome every obstacle.
Over the past five decades, from its base in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, the Onassis Foundation has served as a powerful catalyst for change, consistently driving progress and creativity to empower society. Until today, more than 2.5 million Greeks have benefited from the Foundation’s initiatives, recognizing the Foundation’s impact on culture, healthcare, and education.
Thanks to the dedication of its people —from the crews on the tankers to the Board of Directors—and the management model, the Foundation’s assets have become at least 10 times greater than those Aristotle Onassis bequeathed to it in 1975. As expressed in the will of its founder, the Foundation allocates nearly 40% of the Business’ net annual profits to public good, with the rest reinvested. This model is efficient and simple: the efforts, work, knowledge, and actions of the Business Foundation are unified, capitalized upon, and ultimately shared across communities in the form of meaningful contributions to the common good, via the initiatives of the Public Benefit Foundation.
Central to the Onassis Foundation’s cultural vision is the Onassis Stegi in Athens—a dynamic hub where creativity flourishes and cultural initiatives radiate outward, inspiring audiences globally. Performances originating at Onassis Stegi tour internationally, spreading Greek contemporary culture far beyond national borders. Onassis USA further extends this vision with Onassis ONX, pioneering immersive digital art and augmented reality experiences from vibrant hubs in New York and Athens. Every season about 35 performances and events are held, and about 300.000 attend.
Initiatives such as STEGI.RADIO and the Onassis YouTube Channel amplify online diverse creative voices through music, theater performances, fiction films, documentaries, and compelling content. The Onassis AiR artistic residency program actively nurtures innovation, supports creative talent, and encourages international collaboration. On YouTube, Instagram, and other social media, about 1 million people follow our activities.
Deeply committed to future generations, the Onassis Foundation has awarded over 7,800 scholarships, with numerous scholars becoming distinguished politicians and prominent figures in the academic, scientific and business life of Greece. The Onassis Library in Athens houses rich collections of historical significance which have been digitized and are accessible to researchers and the wider public. Similarly, the Cavafy Archive preserves and promotes the legacy of iconic poet C. P. Cavafy, highlighting the universal resonance of his work and ensuring his literary heritage remains open and accessible worldwide.
In education, an ambitious €160 million initiative will upgrade 22 public schools in underprivileged areas across Greece into Public Onassis Schools, significantly enhancing opportunities for over 22,000 students and fostering societal and educational advancement.
Regarding healthcare, the Onassis Hospital, boasting more than two million patient appointments since 1993, is averaging 70,000 patients annually. Within 2025, the innovative Onassis Hospital is relaunched setting new standards for medical excellence, integrating advanced transplant, cardiac, and pediatric care. Its fully digital environment enhances diagnostic speed and efficiency, ensuring the highest treatment quality while prioritizing every patient’s well-being. The new hospital will be synonymous with the digital age of healthcare, designed to handle a broad spectrum of data, from human resources and clinic operations across the two facilities to patient medical records.
As we look toward the future, the Onassis Foundation remains dedicated to launching even more impactful and transformative initiatives, guided by the belief that the best way to honor our heritage is through visionary actions taken today, shaping a brighter tomorrow.
Here’s to the next 50 years of bold ideas, inspired progress, and boundless possibilities.
pic : ©Roland Korner
Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation, in conversation with Petra Matt